Invalidity · first instance · 2019-08-14
000102500
Contested design: 000953492-0018
Outcome
The application for a declaration of invalidity is granted, the contested Community design is declared invalid, and the holder must bear the applicant's costs fixed at EUR 750.
Show verbatim operative text(de)
Dem Antrag auf Nichtigerklärung wird stattgegeben. Das eingetragene Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmuster Nr. 000953492-0018 wird für nichtig erklärt. Die Inhaberin trägt die Kosten der Antragstellerin, die auf 750 EUR festgesetzt werden.
CostsHolder ordered to pay costs of €750
Parties
Applicant · invalidity challenger
NBL Europe GmbH
Germany (DE)
Monzastr. 4a, 63225 Langen, Deutschland
Represented by
Holder · RCD owner
Erwin Müller GmbH
Germany (DE)
Breslauer Str. 34-38, 49808 Lingen (Ems), Deutschland
Represented by
Prior art cited (2)
Badaccessoire-Serie including the asserted toilet paper holder shown at trade fairs and in product catalogs
Artikelnr. 11341A · trade fairs and product catalogs
Chinese design for a wall-mounted toilet paper holder
CN 300791455 D / ZL 200730117714.1 · Chinese design registration publication · disclosed 2008-06-11
Legal grounds invoked
Argument summary
- ›The applicant sought invalidity for lack of novelty and at least lack of individual character, relying on its own earlier bathroom accessory disclosures and a Chinese design published before the filing date.
- ›The holder argued the request should be rejected because the evidence did not prove prior disclosure of conflicting earlier designs and also pointed to differences in surface finish and proportions.
- ›The Division accepted the Chinese design publication of 11 June 2008 as prior disclosure under Article 7 and found the informed user would perceive the compared toilet paper holders as creating the same overall impression.
- ›Because the contested design lacked individual character under Article 6(1)(b), the invalidity application was upheld, the design was declared invalid, and costs were awarded against the holder.
Deciding panel
- MemberAlvaro SESMA MERINO
- MemberNatascha GALPERIN
- MemberIvanka IVANOVA
Decision files
| Language | Type | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| enEnglish (en) | machine translated | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
| deGerman | original | Download original from EUIPO ↗ |
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